DEAR ABBY: I helped a friend by driving her to and from work for two weeks while her car was being repaired. When she got her car back, she told me to let her know if she could ever return the favor by helping me.

Recently my car needed repairs, so I asked if I could cash in the favor for a ride to and from work for a few days. She replied that she could do it for me, but I should know that she had already “repaid the favor (owed to me)” by helping one of her other friends, so she felt she didn’t owe me more favor. . I also felt like if she drove me to work, I would owe her another favor. I told him to forget what I asked and that I would find another way to get to work.

Is there a rule of etiquette that says you must tell someone that you are “paying a favor” and that you no longer owe them a favor? — GENE IN THE SOUTH

DEAR BORED: If so, this is the first I’ve heard of it. The “friend” you describe is what they call a “bean counter” or “score keeper”. This is someone who places too much emphasis on controlling things, like spending, budgets, and in his case, relationships. It’s best to avoid people like that.

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Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or PO Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.